| I'd say I have more of a problem with heat than humidity, although the combination is worse than either alone. Obviously, if sweat is running down your face and the mouthpiece is sliding around, that's not good. But even if that's under control, I don't play my best if I'm burning up and uncomfortable. Being uncomfortable can involve things other than heat and humidity, too. An outfit that doesn't fit correctly, a badly-shaped chair, a small, cramped stage - all these things make me work harder to play well. Too many distractions. Throw in heat and humidity, and I'm toast! I think lip swelling is accelerated by heat. Dehydration can give you dry mouth. And in extreme conditions, the onset of heat exaustion can slow your brain processing the music. I've become so hot in a Summer, outdoor gig (wearing a wool Civil war uniform) that I couldn't make my fingers move fast enough to play the music I was reading. Time to find some water and air conditioning! |